Dredging apparatus.



l No. 869,273. PATENTED OCT. 29. 1907.

B. B. STODDARD.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIQN FILED JAN.9,19o5.

APATRNLED OCT. 29.1907.

E. B. sToDDARD.

DREDGING APPARATUS. APPLIGAQION rILnD JAN.s.1eo5.

HI i

THE Nonms PEYERs co.. wAsmNaraN. D. c.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

tional view, illustrating in detail the' UNITED SIIAIES IPA'IFN OFFICE.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Oct. 29, 1907'.

Application filed January 9. 1905. Serial No. 240,255.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD B. SToDnAun, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to drcdging-machinery, and has particularly to do with machines operating by suction. I'Ieret fore, suction dredging-machines have been subject to the objection that they have not efcctually taken up or recovered the heavier particleuthe result being that when used for dredging auritcrous sand or gravel the heavier particles, which are always the richest in gold, have not been recovered, but have been allowed to sink away from the intake of the dredge. This defect has proved so serious in practice that at present, so far as I am aware, suction-dredges are not considered practicable for such use.

My present invention has for its object to provide a suction-dredge which will be tree from the objection above noted, and which will in other respects be capable of eflicient use in recovering gold from auriferous sand or gravel, whether the sand be submerged or not. I accomplish this object as illustrated in the drawings and as hereinafter described. What I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,-li`igure I is an elevation, illustrating the general arrangement of the principal parts of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2 is a secconstruction of one form of the suction-apparatus; Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, Fig. I is a sectional view,

illustrating a modified form of apparatus; and Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5-5 of Fig. lt.

GenerallyT speaking, my improved dredging-apparatus comprises rotary feeding-arms which communicate with an intake-pipe and act to supply the sand or gravel, mixed with water, to such intake-pipe. Said intakepipe discharges into an off-carrying suction-pipe, to which suction is applied by any suitable mechanism for the purpose. A water-supply pipe communicates with said arms and conducts water thereto,-the arrangement being such that the water so supplied to said arms is directed toward the intake-pipe and causes a current of the mixed gravel and water to [low toward said intake-pipe; thus positively directing the sand or gravel thereto. A pump or other suitable apparatus is connected to said water-supply pipe, for lforcing a cnrrent of water therethrough toward said feeding-arms. Centrally disposed below the intake-pipe is aA screw, or equivalent drilling-mechanism, arranged so that the rotation of the feeding-arms causes the dredge to penetrate the bed of sand, or other material operated upon; and suitable mechanism is provided for rotating said feeding-arms and drill. The intake-pipe and feedingarms are inclosed by a hood, which operates to protect the operating-parts of the apparatus, and also prevents the surface material from drifting into the depression made by the operation of the dredging-mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings for a specific description of the apparatus therein illustrated,-G indicates the olf-carrying or suction pipe, which communicates with a pump 7, as shown in Fig. I.

8 indicates the water-supply pipe, the lower portion of which surrounds the suction-pipe 6 and which connects with a pump 9. The pump t) is also provided with a suction-pipe It), through which water is supplied thereto. In the arrangement shown in Fig. I, the pipe IO extends down into a body of water, which also covers the bed of sand operated upon.

It may be well to explain thatthe form of apparatus illustrated is designed to be used for dredging submerged sand or gravel near the shore of a body of waterthe pumping-mechanism being located on the shore and the dredging-medianism being supported and manipulated from .the shore by means of suitable eX- tensible mechanism, preferably in the form of a swinging crane. Iart of the support for the supply and suction pipes and boring-mechanism is shown at II in Fig. I. 'Ihe supporting-devices for these pipes may beef any suitable construction, so that it is not deemed necessary to illustrate them further.

I2 indicates upright bars, connected at opposite sides of the support II and carrying at their lower ends a hood I3, preferably funnel-shaped, as shown in Figs. I and 2. Said hood incloses the operating-parts of the boring and otf-carryiiig-mechanism, as shown in Fig. 2, and at its upper end supports the driving-mechanism for rotating the boring-devices, as shown in Fig. I.

I4 indicates the intake-pipe, which forms a continuation of the suction-pipe G but is disconnected therefrom, so that it is free to rotate while the suction-pipe 6 remains stationary.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of the suction-pipe G extends through a collar I5 which is Iixedly secured to the lower end of the water-supply pipe 8 and forms a support for a sleeve I6 which carries the feedingarms I7-I8, as will be hereinafter described. The sleeve IG is provided at its upper end with a gear I9, which is preferably formed integral therewith. Said gear and the sleeve I6 are supported from the collar I5 by a flanged ring 20 rigidly secured to the gear I9 by bolts 2I or other suitable means, as shown in Fig. 2. The arrangement is such th at the ange of the ring 20 projects over the collar I5 and rides thereupon, so that the sleeve I6 supported by the collar I5 as it rotates. A lubricator 22 is preferably provided, which communicates with a duct which conducts the oil or oth er lubricant to the Wearing-surfaces, as shown in Fig. 4.

Ihe sleeve IG is rotated by means of a pinion.24, which meshes with the gear ISL-said pinion being mounted at the lower end of a shaft 25 mounted in a suitable bearing 26 and provided at its upper end with a pulley 27 driven by a rone 28, or otl. er suitable means, iroin any suitable source of power,

29 indicates idlers, provided at the upper ends of the uprights l2. The bearing 26 is preferably connected with the water-supply pipe S by a U-sliaped bell 30 and pillow-block 31, as shown in Fig. 2, but any other suitable construction may be employed.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of the sleeve 16 is extended down below the upper end of the intakepipe 14, so that it serves to support and guide said pipe.

The feeding-arms 17"].8 are tubular in form, and are curved, as shown in Fig. 2,*tlreir upper ends being connected by sleeves 32-33 with nipples 34-35 which I are screwed into the sleeve 16 at opposite sidts thereof.

By this construction, the upper ends of the arms 17-18 may be connected or disconnected at pleasure. "he lower ends oi said arrns are screwed into opposite sides of a coupling 36 provided at the lower end of the intake-pipe 14.

The lower portion of each of the arms 1 7-18 is open at one side, as shown at 37 in Fig. 2, a cutting-blade 3S being provided along the lower margin of each. opening, said cutting-blades being designed to cut into the sand or gravel as the dredging-devices rotate and direct the nraterial through the adjacent openings into the feeding-arms. Each oi said arms is alsoprovided with upright wings 39, secured to the blade 38 and along the upper margins oi the openings 37, as shown in Fig. 2. Said wings are set a distance apart, as shown and serve to divide up the material and direct it properly into the feeding-arms. They also serve to brace the blades 38, and as their outer surfaces are inclined backwardly and upwardly, they serve also to direct large, hard masses such as abnormally large pebbles or stones-over the feeding-arms, and thereby prevent clogging of the apparatus. The wings 39 are also set so as to direct the material slightly toward the intakepipa-thereby promoting the movement of the material in that direction.

40 indicates delectors at the outer ends of the openings 37, for catching material lying near the outer ends of said openings and directing it ther-cinto.

4l indicates a screw or drill provided centrally bclow the intake-pipe 14, for causing the apparatus to penetrate the sand or gravel operated upon,

In operation the feeding-arms, with the intake-pipe 14, are caused to rotate by rotating the shait 25 and pinion 24. The screw 41. thereby is caused to penetrate the sand or other material operated upon,carrying the feeding-arms 17-18 downward and holding the blades 38 in operative engagement with the sand. The result is that the surface of the sand is sliced off by the blades 38,-the material entering said arms through the openings 37. Any large stones pass over the arms,-rising on the inclined forward edges of the wings 39. ln the meantime, suction is applied to the suction-pipe 6, and water is forced down the watersupply pipe 8 and into the upper' ends of the arms 17- 18, passing through said arms down to the lower end ot the intake-pipe 14. The result is that the material entering through the openings 37 forced down to the intake 14, through which it rises into the suction-pipe 6, and is carried off through said pipe to the mill or other place of discharge. As the machine continues to operate, the dredging apparatus descends, sinking deeper as the material is carried out, so that the operation may be carried on until as great a depth as nray be desired is reached. The surface-material at the sides of the excavation is held up by the hood 13, so that it does not fall into the excavation and interfere with the recovery of the material from the lower' strata.

1t will be noted that all the material encountered by the feeding-arms is caused to pass thereinto, except such larger' pieces as are thrown oil' hy the wings 39; and aiter having once entered said blades it is necessarily carried out by the suction, so that the heavier particles are recovered, as well as the lighter ones.

The upper surface of the screw 4l is preferably hollowed out or made in the form of a cup, as shown at -12 in Fig. 4, to serve as a receptacle for nuggets so heavy as to be incapable of being lifted by the suction; so that even such masses, when once carried into the feeding-arms, are eventually recovered.

In Figs. 4 and 5, l have shown a modified arrangement of feeding-arms, in which, instead of extending the arms to and connecting them with the intake-pipe, l provide arms 43-44 which terminate near the outer ends of cutting-bl-.ules 45-46, which are separate from said l'eeding-arn'rs. Said blades 45-46 extend from the periphery of the hood 13 inwardly to the screw 41. with which they are connected, and are provided with vertically-disposed plates 47 at their rear edges, giving said blades an L-shaped appearance in cross-section. Said plates 47 serve to direct the material taken up by the blades 46 down to the intake-pipe, which, in this arrangement, terminates a short distance above the upper' surface of the screw 41., as shown at 4S in Fig. 4. rlhe inner ends of the plates 47 are preferably riveted to the intake-pipe 48, the outer ends of the plates 47 being preferably riveted to and supported by the arms 43 and 44,-as shown. 49 indicates rods7 which are connected to the plates 47 and the blades 46, extending backward and upward, as shown in Figs. '4 and 5. Said rods serve to break up the material and direct the larger' masses up over the back-plates 47, in the same manner as the wings 39.

The oper'ation of the modified form of 'apparatus is, in many respects, the saine as already described,-thc principal difference being that the material supplied to the intake-pipe is not as closely confined, since the blades 45-46 are more open than the tubular arms 17-18. The arms 43-44 direct the water supplied downward and inward over the blades 45-46,- carrying the material down to the lower end of the intakepipe 48, through which it is carried up by suction, passing out through suction-pipe 6, as hereinbefore described.

My improved dredging-apparatus is rendered more eli'icient by reason of the fact that the construction is such that the material is positively ed to the intakepipe, so that a certain and uniform proportion ot solid material is supplied thereto in such manner that the suction-pump is compelled to lift it, and consequently practically all of the material .loosened by the excavating-mechanism is recovered.

The forms of apparatus illustrated in the drawings and herein described may be regarded as typical embodiments of my invention, but l do not restrict myself to the apparatus shown, since my invention includes, generically, the subject-matter ot' the b nader claims, as well as the specilic improvements set forth in the narrower claims.

While my improved dredgiiig-apparatus is designed primarily for use in recovering gold from sand or gravel, it may be used tor any other purpose to which it is adapted. The fact that the material operated upon may be positively ted to the intake enables the operator to control the quantity oi' material discharged in a given time, and the apparatus may be kept up to its maximum capacity at all times it' desirable. The quantity of material discharged may be varied by varying the rapidity with which the drilling-mechanism is caused to descend, and the rate ot flow of the water through the Water-supply and suction-pipes.

lhat which I claim'as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,w

lA In a dredging-machine, the combination ot an axiallydisposed intake, one or more feeding-arms arranged to rotate about; said intake, means tor rotating said arms, and means for directing water through said arms toward said intake.

2. In a dredging-machine, the combination of an axiallydisposed intake. one or more feeding-arms arranged to rotate about said intake, means for rotating said arms, excawiting-blades for excavating material in advance of said arms, and means for directing water through -said arms toward said intake.

In a dredging-machine, the combination ot an intake, a water-supply pipe. means for excavating the material, means for directing the excavated material to said intake, and means for discharging'the water from said watersupply pipe inwardly toward said intake through the excavated material.

l. ln a dredging-machine. the combination ot' an intake, a water-supply pipe, means for excavating the material, means tor directing the excavated material to said intake, means for discha'ring the water yfrom lsaid water-supply pipe inwardly toward said intake through the excavated material, and suction-mechanism communicating with said intake.

5. In a dredging-machine, the combination of an intake, a water-supply pipe, means for excavating the material. means for directing the excavated material to said intake, means for discha'g'mg the water from said water-supply pipe in 'ardly toward said intake through the excavated material, suction-inechanism communicating with said intake, and means fer rotating said excavatingxlevices.

ln a dredging-machine, the combination o1' an axiallydisposed intake, a water-supply pipe. one or more tubular feeding-arms communicating therewith and arranged to discharge inwardly toward said intake, excavating-means connected with said arms and rotating therewith, and means for rotating said arms.

7. In a dredging-machine, the combination oi an intake, a water-supply pipe.,one or more tubular feeding-arms communicating with said water-supply pipe and adapted to rotate about said intake, said feeding-arms being arranged to discharge the water inwardly toward said .intake, said arms being open at one side to receive the excavated material, and excavating-means for material to said arms.

material, excavating-means for supplying material to said arms, and guides for directing the material into said arms 9. Ina dredging-machine, the combination of an intake, a water-supply pipe. one or more tubulant'eeding-arms communicatingwith said water-supply pipe and adapted to rotate about: said intake. said feeding-arms being arranged to discharge the water inwardly toward said intake. said arms being open 'at one side to receive the excavated material, excavating-means for supplying material to said arms. and inclined guides for directing the material into said arms.

l0. In a dredging-machine, the combination of an intake, a water-supply pipe, one 0r more`tubular feedingarms communicating' with said water-supply pipe and adapted to rotate about said intake, said feeding-arms bein i* arranged to discharge the water inwardly toward said intake, said arms being open at one side to receive the excavated material, excavating-means for supplying material to said arms, and devices for directing abnormally large iasses over said arms.

il. In a dred,ng-machine, the combination ot' an intake, one er more feeding-arms arranged to revolve around said intake tor supplyingl mate lial thereto, means below said intake tor catching the heavier particles ot material, and suction-mechanism commrmicating with` said intake.

1;. in a dredging-machine. the combination oi an intake. one or more feeding-arms arranged to revolve around said intake for supplying material thereto, means below said intake for catching the heavier particles of material, suction-meclnlnism communicating with said intake, and a drill below said intake.

13. In` a dredging-niachine, the combination of an intake, a suction-pipe comunmicating therewith. a watersupply pipe concentrically arranged with reference to said suction-pipe, feeding-arms communicating with said watersupply pipe and extending outward and downward therefrom and inward to the intake, said feeding-arms being open at one side to receive the excavated material, and excavating-blades carried by said arms.

14. In a dredgiiig-machine, the combination of an intake, a suction pe communicating ewith, a watersupply pipe concertrically arranged with leerence te said suction-pipe, feeding-arms communicating with said watersupply )ipe and extending outward and downward therefrom and inward to the intake, said feeding-arms being open at one side to receive the excavated material, excavating-blades carried by said arms, and a series of wings carried by said arms, said wings being spaced a distance apart in front ot' said openings.

15. ln `a dredging-inachine, the combination of ai intak-e, a suction-pipe communicating therewith. a watersupply pipe concentrieall)` arrai ged with reference te said suction-pipe, feeding-arms com nicatiig' with said watersupply pipe and extending outnard and down. from and inward to thc intake, said teedi.l open at one side to receive the excavated material, vatting-blades carried by said arms, and alseries of carried by said arms. said wings being spaced a distance apart in front of said openings, the t'orvrard edges of said wings beingl inclined upward and backward.

16. In a suction dredcin"-machine, the combination of an intake, revolving excavat neans adapted to loosen the material, and means tor directir g' water under pressure toward the'l take through the loosened material,

suction dre ,-maehine. the combination of revolving excavating and feeding mechanism cet up the material excavated. said feedingbeing inclosed except at the forward side therens for directing water under pressure through :,eecing-mechanisin toward the intake;

EDWARD B. STODDARD.

Witnesses .Ionx L. lxeiisox, Hnnnx M. COLLIN. 

